Ambitious Newcastle club Northumbria are looking to take their boxers abroad to the likes of Monte Carlo and Dubai. Not bad for a bunch of lads from Newbiggin Hall, is it?

Glenn McCrory, who has caused a massive stir within amateur boxing since he opened his club, is staging a black tie Braveheart dinner at the Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel on February 8, when Northumbria Select will take on a Scottish squad.

A host of celebs will be present, including a typical brave heart, Jack Charlton, World Cup winner with England.

"The proceeds from the dinner will help fund a trip we are planning to Monte Carlo in April," McCrory told me. "I have contacts out there and we are already looking at venues.

"I have also made tentative inquiries to take amateur boxing to Dubai.

"They love sport out there, but got burned financially when hosting a Chris Eubank title fight.

"But amateur boxing is a very different animal, of course.

"I believe you have to be ambitious and I want to make a huge impression in a sport which was good to me in my fighting days."

McCrory tells me his ABA finalist Mark Clauzel, who will be on the Braveheart bill with Anthony Simpson, is now rated No 4 in the Four Nations, which comprises comprises Englnd, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.